Martha Ballard

After reading this week's article (you'll find it under "assignments" on the course Blackboard site), please write a paragraph or two in which you discuss the following:
1. Martha Ballard's role in society (both as a worker and as a woman) - why is it significant?
2. The basis of Ulrich's evidence and how she uses this evidence to construct a narrative
3. Your impression of the article (Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not? Provide specific examples to explain what you did or did not enjoy about the article).

Woody Holton on Elites in the American Revolution

This week I'd like you to take a look at the Woody Holton article from Major Problems (this reading is posted under assignments on the course Blackboard site; the Holton essay is at the end of the reading) and do the following: outline Holton's basic argument. This is an excellent way to prepare for writing your primary source paper (due at the beginning of class Tuesday night).

Jonathan Edwards Speaks of Sin and Salvation and Franklin Contemplates Whitefield

For this week's blog entry, I'd like you all to take a look at the "Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God" sermon by Jonathan Edwards (15.1) and the entry by Benjamin Franklin (15.2) about George Whitefield (both found in the Mapp/Rushforth collection).

Address the following questions:

1. What are the difference between Edwards and Whitefield? (in terms of belief about God, about human nature?)

2. Why are both men so effective? What attracted follows to them (you may need to reference your textbook to effectively answer this question)?

3. How can we identify both of these men as part of the Great Awakening?

4. Why is the Great Awakening important in the "creation" of America?

Black Robe, The French Empire, and Empires in Conflict

During class this week I talked briefly about New France and the role of the French in North America (particularly in the St. Lawrence River valley and around the Great Lakes). In addition you screened Black Robe, a 1991 film about a Jesuit missionary's experiences among the Indians of the region (mostly the Huron and the Iroquois). While the film is fiction, it does shed light on the region, the relationships, the religion and the social/cultural interactions between the groups.

Compare what you saw in Black Robe (particularly the second half of the film - and be sure to use specific details from the film in your post) to what Richter said about the French and missionaries and to what you learned in lecture about the French.

In addition to a few sentences on the topic above, please also be sure to discuss religious practices, the clash of cultures, and rivalries between empires (both European and American Indian).